Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son at the event (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – VietnameseForeign Minister Bui Thanh Son attended the 11th Mekong – Republic ofKorea (RoK) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting via videoconference on September 8 atthe invitation of Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of ForeignAffairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn.
Speaking at the event, Sonsaid despite the complicated developments of COVID-19 pandemic, Mekongcountries and the RoK have maintained cooperation in various areas. He hailedthe RoK for providing assistance for Mekong nations to cope with the pandemic.
About cooperationorientations, he stated that the major priority of Mekong – RoK cooperation inthe near future is assisting member countries in overcoming the currentdifficulties.
He proposed four majorcontents, including controlling the pandemic via ensuring countries’ timely,full and fair access to vaccines, sharing experience and transferring vaccineproduction technology to Mekong nations; cooperating in digital transformation,building digital economy, and assisting Mekong and RoK enterprises inconnectivity; improving the capacity of climate change adaptation as well as sustainable use and management of Mekong water resources; and enhancing cooperationin education-training and high-quality human resources development.
Participants shared the viewthat the top priority should be given to promoting vaccine production,distribution and technology transfer to ensure safe, effective and timelyaccess.
They also looked into regionaland global issues of shared concern such as the East Sea and Korean peninsulaissues, climate change, drought and saltwater intrusion in Mekong river basin,and agreed to work closely together to cope with common challenges.
Concluding the event,ministers adopted the Co-Chairs’ Statement and vowed close coordination to successfullyhold the third Mekong – RoK Summit next month./.
